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April 4, 2012

Valentine Names Aceves As The Closer

Bobby Valentine says that Alfredo Aceves will be the Red Sox closer, as Andrew Bailey recovers from right thumb surgery (and is not expected back until August, at the earliest).

The Red Sox will start the season with an eight-man bullpen. Vicente Padilla, Scott Atchison, and Justin Thomas have been added to the 40-man roster. The Opening Day roster does not have to be finalized until 5 PM today.

Valentine on Josh Beckett's thumb: "It's really not much of an injury. ... I haven't been told about any limitations he might have."

I'm surprised. Thought they'd keep him in the long man position to have him ready to spot start. It may mean that they're confident Cook could reasonably come up. Bowden or Padilla will probably get long relief opportunities.